Bondi Band Review

http://www.bondiband.com 

 August 1st Giveaway begins!
We are giving away a soft pink Bondi Band. This is what it looks like in black... remember though, ours is pink!

See bottom of today's blog for the entry

*disclaimer: The fact that I can now post crazy pics of me (see above) means that things are going to just continue to get silly! <3 




Are you tired of wearing those teeny tiny little headbands that don't hold your hair back? I am! Although, I am not going to lie to you, there have been times that I enjoyed that I had to stop my workout to take down my ponytail and take off the stretchy band to get the hair to stay out of my face, BUT I shouldn't be stopping my workout for anything!!! Right?

I started searching the Internet a few months ago, looking for some headband that would keep those fly-aways out of my eyes.  That is when I found Bondi Band.  They advertised that they are great for everyone. Their facebook page said that Bondi Bands are composed of a unique blend of nylon, lycra, and spandex. The result is a stretchy yet form-fitting band that holds up under the toughest hair style types. This intrigued me.

About a week ago, Bondi Band sent me two of their bands. One said, "Girls Gone Muddy" and the other said, "!/2 Marathon Girl." I had to choose and that was tough because I wanted both. I decided on 1/2 Marathon Girl. I wore it on a long run and to two different boot camps. I loved how cool the material kept my head. I was also surprised that I didn't have to mess with my hair even once. (I didn't even have to fix my hair during push-ups...and believe me I was looking for an excuse to stop!) The fly-aways usually really both me when I am working out. Another big surprise for me was the fact that it wasn't hot at all. The material stayed cool, and it was lightweight. The wicking material did exactly what it was supposed to do. I was very surprised at how comfortable it was. 

So the "skinny" on Bondi Bands... They have many different products from armbands, to headbands, to hats. Their products are unisex, 100% American Made and perfect to be worn on their own or under other hats, helmets and visors.  Using stretchy, breathable material, allows Bondi Bands to fit virtually every head size and shape. Their fashion lycra fabric is fun and great for every day. In warm weather, their “No Slip, No Drip” moisture wicking headbands are great to wick away sweat, keep hair back and ear buds in ears and in colder weather they are also great to keep your ears warm.  Bondi Band donates 10% of pretax profits to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. They also offer customized products.



I have one band to give away... Be sure to DO all the steps that you say you do on the Rafflecopter. I will be verifying. Thank you!

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Be sure to do all of the steps. They will be verified. Thank you!

What time is it?

Do you have a Fitness Bucket List? We all have lists of things we want to do in life, whether it be a list that you have written down or that list in your head. Take a minute and think about what you would put on your list for fitness... When are you going to do those things? The time is now!! I said that I would run a half marathon this year... Well, I am going to do it in November!

I have lived in Florida my whole life, but I have never learned to surf... paddleboard... kayak... The time is now!!

What is on your fitness bucket list? http://pinterest.com/artzefartze/fitfluential-fitnessbucket-list/  Here is mine. Comment below and tell me what is on your list!

The time is NOW!

Hey all, I wanted to first share with you my big news for the week!!! I am officially a FitFluential Ambassador! This is very exciting news! This little journey is taking on a life of it's own! Now, onto the good stuff :)

SPIBelt review and giveaway!

I have to tell you that I absolutely LOVE this item. I wish I would have had it in NYC. 

First off, I will be honest and say that I was VERY worried about this going around my tummy. This is a problem area, and I was worried that it would add size to my midsection. When I look at this pic, I have to say that I am impressed at how it doesn't stick out.  It only has my keys and some hair ties in it because I needed my phone to take the picture, but it doesn't stick out at all.  

This storage pouch invented by a woman named Kim Overton who had trouble transporting her keys during her runs. My SPIbelt arrived in last week. The  SPIbelt design is a superior version of the "fanny pack" that is designed for athletics. 

The SPIbelt is a pouch that is made of a stretchable fabric that expands impressively to accommodate multiple items that connects to a stretchable/sizable belt that clips securely behind the runner's back. I was very impressed because the pouch didn't bounce or move around while I was running. It has a zipper pull on the pouch that is large enough to allow easy access while running and the position of the zipper is designed to open at the top to prevent items from falling out when the zipper is opened during a run. I didn't even think about having it on, and as a matter of fact, I was looking for my keys everywhere before I realized that they were on my body. :) 

It would be the perfect bag for a long run to carry energy chews, and money. My keys were not wet when the workout was over, and I didn't put them in the ziploc baggie.

My overall opinion of the product exceeded my expectations! I highly recommend this for anyone who runs on a regular basis. I also would recommend it for people who travel.  I would have worn this all day long on my trip to NYC. 

Please enter to win my Giveaway! Share it with your friends!!! Everyone needs one of these!!

Click the link below to enter!

https://www.facebook.com/mindysfitnessjourney/app_228910107186452

Hog Wild Hell, no not really!!! It was awesome!

This is Jodi and I before the race. It was her idea to try the braids. I loved it and will probably do it for every mud race!!! (more pictures below)

Our Mud Run today!

This is straight from my own memory, so I could have missed some parts... :)

There really is nothing that compares to running on trails, climbing obstacles, and playing in the mud with your best buddies~ Well, unless you were at the Hog Wild Mud Run 2 today in Tampa, FL. Then you would have to factor in cows and a bull, oh and cow pies!!! Talk about rough terrain... dodging cow poop and running cows... Hysterical! We called them obstacows! (in addition to the obstacles.)

The race began with quite a run til we got to the first obstacle. It was wading through a creek with a current. This was very refreshing because it took a long time to get checked in. We had to stand in the sun in line for about an hour. Hopefully they will fix that next year. After the creek we had to run to our  first wall. I probably got about halfway up, and I had to go down. The wood was tearing up my hands, and I realized that I really need to use gloves for these runs. I think all of the drivers on I-4 enjoyed watching all of us climbing up this wall. It was inverted and very tough. I am so proud of the strong "fit angels" that persevered and made it up and over. I was disappointed because there were some strong, good looking men helping people over, but by the time it was my turn they weren't there to help me by pushing my butt up :) LOL! We went to another wall. This wall was a rope wall. I was impressed that I got a little over halfway (I think) because I definitely doubted my ability.  I got scared and came down. It was then that I realized that I really need to work on upper body strength.


We headed over to pick up sandbags. We had to carry (I want to say 30 lbs) sand bags around a lake and wade through the lake to drop off our sand bag. Finally, it was time for the tube slide. It wasn't super fast, but it was very refreshing! We had to swim across the lake, and that was a long way. There was a rope to hold onto, but I wish I hadn't. I should have just swam. I was very tired after this. Then we ran for what seemed like forever... We had to wade through another creek, but this time people were throwing tomatoes at us.  I hid behind my friend Danny.  I didn't get hit once... Thank God! Ouch! I bet that would have hurt! Someone (who will remain nameless and it's not me) started firing them back at the crowd... funny...


After that, there were about 4 or 5 obstacles that were right together. There was a smaller wall climb where I finally found success with the help of my friend Ty. I skipped a crazy inverted monkey bar climb because even strong men were dropping immediately. Ty did complete it and got a round of applause from the crowd :) There was a rope climb and an ice bath.  The ice bath didn't have any ice in it, but the water was cold so it felt good.  It certainly wasn't a true "ice bath" like I have heard about in the Savage Run or Tough Mudder.


Next came a grueling run through the trails. There will hills close together and it was definitely a challenge. This was a long stretch of running. There was some walking too.  We came up to some hay bales that we had to climb. I got great help from my girls Janice (who I just met) and Jodi. We had another longer run that ended in about three or four consecutive holes of mud. In and out and in and out... I think at this point I was just crawling. 

The best part was the slide!!! One of my closest friends, Jodi and I held hands and slid down into some really disgusting mud! It was great. The last thing we had to do was crawl through some thick mud and not catch our butts on the barbed wire. We couldn't help but do a little silly posing for the camera.   


Finally we got to the finish line!!! Yippee!!! That's probably when I realized that I truly had the best time and was so proud that we got through all of that! Plus, we laughed so hard that my cheeks hurt from smiling!! 

When I crossed the finish line, my friend Mercy was waiting for me. She had already cleaned up a bit.

And finally!!!!! The moment all mud runners wait for, THE FREE BEER!!! :)  My friend Krista and I posed for a pic holding our beers!!  It was a truly great day! 


Check out this link that was posted on the Hog Wild facebook page.  


There was A LOT of stuff that I forgot about!!! :) 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QEsEbe3tDUY

Humbled and amazed!

Today has been quite a day! 

First off, I am not a morning person. I hate waking up. It doesn't matter what time it is, I struggle! All week I have been going to the gym at 6 am. One of my best buddies works out with me. She keeps me accountable. Today she texted me at 5:15 am that she wasn't going to be able to go with me. That was it... that was the text I waited for all week. I could go back to sleep. But I didn't. I realized that I wasn't going to the gym at 6 am for anyone but ME! I got up and had a great workout. (I did miss her terribly... and I am sorry for calling her out in my blog, maybe she won't read this LOL)

That was my first breakthrough. Now, because I am a teacher, I am not "working" right now. I thought I would take a nap. As I put my doggies in bed (because they are old dachshunds and can't get on the bed on their own) I realized that I had so much I wanted to do today that I really should do those things. So, I got up and I rearranged furniture, organized my bedroom, and made a pile of things I needed to get rid of. Wow! Thank God I didn't take that nap.

Next, I got a call from my mom telling me that my dad will be inducted into the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame next January! So proud of him.

Then I went to my son's football practice. I got wrapped up in some drama, and I started questioning coaching decisions that honestly aren't my place to question. As a football coach's daughter, I SHOULD know better. I backed off that situation and have decided to let things happen the way they are supposed to happen.

Finally, I came home and created this before/now picture. When I looked at it, really looked at it, I realized that I have come so far. I have been focusing so much on the number on the scale. It has been "weighing me down" (English teachers love puns!) I can see the difference I have made in myself. The scale has never been my friend. Even when I was "skinny" I weighed a lot more than I thought I should. I should know better. Looking at that picture made me proud!  Then I posted this photo and WOW! I feel so loved! My friends, my supporters, all of you have blessed me in so many ways. The support I get on a daily basis humbles me. I could cry because I feel so special!

Thank you for following my blog or my facebook or just my journey! You all build me up! I feel like I can do it! I can reach my goals and surpass them!!!  Thank you!

Review of my racer back tank from Nurtition Snob

I am so lucky that Suzanne from Nutrition Snob gave me this adorable racer back tank to try. She even let me choose the design. I love the fact that she has many different colored shirts. I am always wearing black due to not being at my goal weight. So when she gave me the chance to choose one, I knew I would not choose black, no matter what.  I was very nervous that the tank would show my muffin top, and I even told her that I wanted a large or extra large. She said that she knew I was a medium, but if when I got it, it was too small, she would take care of it!!  She was right! :) I am a medium.

I have now run 4 miles in this tank, and I have done a boot camp in it. I love it! It is cool, and the material breathes really nicely. It washes up great too!  Plus, LOOK AT IT!!! It's adorable!  Go to https://www.facebook.com/NutritionSnob and give her some love! Check out the adorable designs. I know that my running group, The Fit Angels, will all be ordering our 13.1 shirts soon! We are training for our first half (at least most us are doing it for the first time!)

Here is the link to my giveaway: If you have not signed up yet, sign up for my giveaway!!!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mindys-fitness-journey/319088671472764?sk=app_228910107186452

The half marathon training has begun! Yesterday I ran 4 miles, and today I did a boot camp. 4 miles felt like a million miles, but I know that next time it will get easier. When I began this journey this past December, I made a goal to run a half marathon. I am not sure if I will love it, but I am sure that I will be proud of myself! It is really a good feeling to know that I am on the right path!

Don't forget about my giveaway! You can enter daily!

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Thank you for getting me to 700 "likes!" Wow! I never thought that I would ever have this many people supporting me on this journey! A special thanks to Dr. Scott Isaacs and Suzanne at Nutrition Snob for our prizes. I will also be giving away a "like" wine glass too. Come back daily to enter!!
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Fear: As some of you may know, I am in NYC this week for a teacher training.


For me, I don't think I have ever realized how fearful I have been of everything in my life. In the last couple of days, I am beginning to see that I have lived in fear of life for a long time. I have covered that fear with excuses about why I haven't been living...

I have a few things in my life that I know I am good at... I am good at being a mom. I love it and live it daily. My fears don't get in my way of doing that. I am also good at being a teacher. I love teaching kids and feel like I do it well. My fears sometimes get in the way, but for the most part, I am pretty good at it.

When it comes to living, I have realized that I am fearful! I have fear that people won't like me. I fear that I will NEVER meet a nice guy to share my life with.  I fear that my body will never be where it should be. I fear that people will beat me in everything I do. I fear that people will laugh at me if I fail. I fear failing. I fear that I am not capable of being loved.

Yesterday I was heading back to my hotel alone because my group had gotten done earlier than I did. I didn’t know exactly which train to get on, and anyone who knows me, knows that I have a terrible sense of direction. I thought I knew where to go, but I wasn’t sure. I swiped my metro card and as I walked down the stairs, fear and panic took over. I tried to fight the voices off by telling myself that I knew what I was doing.  When I finally gave in and listened to my fears screaming in my head, telling me that I would never make it back to the hotel because I am not good with directions, and I was doomed to be lost forever, I almost crumbled. My fear had stopped me cold in the hot hallway of the subway full of people. I feared that I would get lost, get hurt, or who knows... just fear.  I immediately walked up the stairs and out to the street where I knew that I could get to the hotel. I would have to walk 26 blocks, but that sounded better than the "dangers of the subway" that everyone had warned me about.

When I got back to the hotel, finally, I thought a lot about what was happening. Then I thought about going to the park because I needed to run. All the voices telling me how dangerous that would be came back to me, and I realized, I AM A GROWN ASS WOMAN!!! That being said, I put my workout clothes on, and I walked down the streets of NYC to Central Park ALONE! I decided that my fears are holding me back from living. I am 38 year old woman. I have already slowly taken on some of the fears in my fitness-life, but I am realizing that I need to do things and prove to myself that I am capable of doing anything I set my mind to. I am ready to live! It’s about DAMN time!!!